TRAGEDY: Indiana GOP Congresswoman who did Christian missionary work killed in fatal car accident

Republican Rep. Jackie Walorski was killed Wednesday in a fatal car accident in Elkhart County, Indiana, according to local news reports. She was hailed by her friends and colleagues as a kind and caring woman who spent most of her career working for charitable causes before entering politics.

The Elkhart County Sheriff's Department said a vehicle “traveled left of center and collided head on with a southbound sports utility vehicle,” which was transporting Walorski. 

“Dean Swihart, Jackie’s husband, was just informed by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s office that Jackie was killed in a car accident this afternoon. She has returned home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers,” the Congresswoman’s Twitter feed read.

The Indiana Republican was driving with her communications director, Emma Thompson and district director Zachery Potts at about 12:30 p.m. when suddenly their vehicle was reportedly struck by oncoming traffic.

Reports indicate the driver of the oncoming automobile was killed. That driver was traveling alone and there were no other casualties from their vehicle.

The Elkhart County Sheriff's Department said the individual driving Walorski's SUV was transported in an ambulance in critical condition to the hospital, but died in transit. 

“Though we came from very different places politically, she was always prepared to work together where there was common ground,” said Indiana native and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“My thoughts and prayers are with her family and the other victims of this terrible crash.”

Walorski has represented Indiana's Second Congressional District since 2012. She previously served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 2005 to 2012.

Prior to her political career the Indiana Representative worked as the Executive Director of the St. Joseph County Humane Society from 1989-1991 and then Director of Annual Giving at South Bend University from 1997-1999 after working with the Joseph County Chamber of Commerce.

In 2000 Walorski moved to Romania and founded ‘Impact International’ which helped her provide medical supplies and assistance to poor children. She also did Christian missionary work before returning to the U.S. until 2004.

In 2006 she authored state legislation to prevent identity theft, and after winning her bid for U.S. Congress, she was appointed as Assistant Floor Leader in the House of Representatives.

Walorski served as the ranking member of the House Ethics Committee. She also served on the House Ways and Means Committee and was the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.

No statement has yet been released by her husband, Dean Swihart.